AGENCY
Harare: A fancied India suffered a shocking two-run defeat at the hands of an unheralded Zimbabwe as they failed to chase down a tricky target in the first T20 International cricket match, here on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 171, India were restricted to 168 for six with seamer Neville Madziva bowling a brilliant over to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
After a 3-0 cakewalk in the preceding ODI series, India were brought down to earth by this embarrassing defeat in which captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s reputation as a finisher again took a beating.
Needing only 8 off the final over, Dhoni who couldn’t connect a single big shot during his sedate 19 off 17 balls.
Surprisingly, Dhoni took single to expose Himachal Pradesh’s Rishi Dhawan (1), who simply lacked quality or ability to hit the ball out of the park.
Madziva bowled fuller and a few length deliveries, mixing it up nicely as the few hundreds of Zimbabwean supporters were ecstatic in joy.
IPL regulars like Manish Pandey (48) and Axar Patel (18) did their bit to set it up but when it mattered the most, the little known Zimbabwean boys, none of whom have franchise contract in private leagues did it for their country.
With 79 required off 42 balls, Pandey decided to take on rival captain Graeme Cremer, hitting him for two consecutive sixes as 16 runs came off the 14th over in company of skipper Dhoni. The presence of Dhoni also ensured that singles were converted into doubles.
The skipper got his first boundary in the next over with a nice little bisected between point and gully that went for a boundary. (PTI)
score board
Zimbabwe Innings
Chamu Chibhabha b R Dhawan 20
Hamilton Masakadza c Dhoni b Bumrah 25
Richmond Mutumbami retd hurt 00
Sikandar Raza run out (M Pandey/Axar) 20
Malcolm Waller (wk) b Chahal 30
Tinotenda Mutombodzi c R Dhawan b Axar 03
Elton Chigumbura not out 54
Graeme Cremer (c) c R Dhawan b Bumrah 04
Neville Madziva not out 05
Extras 09
Total 170/6
India Innings
Lokesh Rahul b Donald Tiripano 00
Mandeep Singh c Mutombodzi b Chibhabha 31
Ambati Rayudu b Chibhabha 19
Manish Pandey c Donald Tiripano b T Muzarabani 48
Kedar Jadhav b T Muzarabani 19
MS Dhoni (c & wk) not out 19
Axar Patel c (sub) W Masakadza b Neville Madziva 18
Rishi Dhawan not out 01
Extras 13
Total 168/6
